Colorado Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit Settlements
After noticing signs of abuse or neglect in a Colorado care facility, many families begin exploring Colorado nursing home abuse lawsuit settlements to understand their legal options and how to protect their loved one’s well-being. At Nursing Home Law Center, our experienced attorneys focus exclusively on protecting the rights of nursing home residents and their families.
We understand the psychological toll and financial strain that follow nursing home neglect, and we are committed to holding facilities accountable. With a strong track record in nursing home litigation across Colorado, we help families pursue the financial relief they need to recover physically and emotionally.
Settlement and Verdicts Recovered by Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
At Nursing Home Law Center, our Colorado nursing home abuse lawyers have extensive experience representing victims of nursing home neglect, helping families across the state pursue compensation through legal action against negligent care facilities.
$2,333,000 Settlement – Sexual Abuse of Two Residents
After reports of non-consensual sexual contact by a certified nursing assistant, Janice and Ruth—residents at a Pueblo-area assisted living facility—were confirmed to have been sexually assaulted.
A history of prior misconduct complaints, ignored by management, and a lack of proper oversight increased the value of this nursing home abuse settlement. Adult Protective Services conducted an investigation.
$1,200,000 Settlement – Transport Van Injury
David, a physically disabled resident of a Colorado Springs nursing home, suffered serious injuries when his wheelchair was not properly secured during transport. A collision caused him to be thrown from his seat, resulting in head trauma and broken ribs. The settlement reflected negligent training and poor safety protocols within the facility.
What Types of Financial Compensation Can Be Recovered Through Nursing Home Abuse Settlements?
Nursing home abuse victims may be eligible to recover a range of compensation tied to the harm suffered. These damages can help offset the costs of medical care, provide financial support for necessary lifestyle changes, and offer relief for the emotional toll caused by abuse or neglect.
Medical Expenses
Abuse and neglect often lead to serious physical injuries requiring emergency care, hospitalization, rehabilitation, or long-term treatment.
Nursing home settlement amounts typically include coverage for both past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, prescriptions, therapy, and assistive devices. If the victim suffered chronic harm, the cost of ongoing medical treatment can significantly influence the value of a nursing home abuse settlement.
Emotional Distress
The psychological effects of nursing home neglect, physical abuse, or sexual abuse can be devastating. Many residents experience anxiety, depression, PTSD, or a decline in overall health. Compensation for emotional trauma is often factored into cases, recognizing the lasting mental and emotional suffering caused by the mistreatment.
Relocation Costs
When abuse or neglect occurs, families are often forced to move their loved one to a safer nursing facility or assisted living facility. Relocation costs, including transportation, intake fees, and deposits, may be included in a nursing home settlement. In some cases, upgrades to more specialized care or private housing can increase the overall financial impact.
What Is the Average Settlement for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Colorado?
According to Law.com’s VerdictSearch, the average settlement for nursing home abuse and neglect cases in Colorado is approximately $1,012,571, with a typical value range between $450,000 and $1,575,143.
Several factors can influence nursing home lawsuit settlements, including:
- Severity of injuries sustained – More serious physical injuries or long-term harm often lead to higher nursing home settlement amounts.
- Type of abuse or neglect – Cases involving non-consensual sexual contact, financial exploitation, or death tend to result in higher compensation.
- Medical expenses – The cost of medical treatment, therapy, and long-term care can raise settlement values.
- Emotional trauma – Psychological effects on the resident, such as PTSD or anxiety, can add to the settlement amount.
- Clear liability – If the facility failed to follow state-mandated safety protocols or if there’s strong physical evidence, the value of the case often increases.
- Wrongful death – If the abuse or neglect results in fatality, damages may include burial expenses and compensation to the victim’s estate.
- Insurance coverage
An experienced nursing home abuse lawyer can assess the full scope of damages and help families recover compensation that reflects the actual impact of the abuse.
Example Nursing Home Lawsuit Settlements and Verdicts
$1,575,143 Verdict – Ongoing Neglect and Mistreatment of Quadriplegic Resident
John Gordy, a 41-year-old quadriplegic, entered Red Rocks Health Care Center in Denver expecting proper care but endured nearly three years of nursing home neglect and mistreatment. Gordy alleged that staff repeatedly dropped him, left him for hours in his own waste, ignored his calls for help, and subjected him to physical abuse, including severe burns from scalding washcloths.
Despite numerous complaints, the facility failed to provide adequate staffing or supervision. His nursing home abuse lawyer argued that Gordy endured daily humiliation and unsafe conditions that violated state laws.
The jury awarded $1,575,143, including damages for extreme and outrageous conduct, negligent treatment, and violations of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, later tripled by statute. With accrued interest, the total award exceeded $4.6 million, underscoring the serious consequences of repeated home abuse and neglect in Colorado nursing homes.
$450,000 Verdict – Wrongful Death Due to Ignored Medical Emergency
Dennis Reigel, a 66-year-old recovering patient at Alpine Living Center in Thornton, died after the staff ignored clear signs of a heart attack. Despite his wife’s repeated pleas for help, nurses dismissed his symptoms as a urinary tract infection and discharged him. His medical records already showed critical enzyme levels indicating cardiac distress. Reigel died hours later at North Suburban Medical Center.
His widow, Janis Reigel, filed a wrongful death case against the facility and its parent companies, arguing nursing home neglect and failure to provide adequate care. Testimony revealed that prior state citations for poor supervision and neglect occurred throughout the facility.
The jury found willful and wanton conduct and awarded $450,000 for emotional distress, non-economic losses, and punitive damages. The verdict reinforced the duty of Colorado nursing facilities to properly assess residents’ health and prevent avoidable deaths caused by staff indifference.
What Types of Elder Abuse Can Be Grounds for a Nursing Home Lawsuit?
Under Colorado laws, victims and their families have the right to pursue legal action when a nursing home resident suffers harm due to mistreatment. A nursing home lawsuit may be filed for various types of elder abuse, each of which carries serious consequences and can form the basis for significant nursing home abuse settlement awards.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse involves any form of intentional bodily harm, including slapping, shoving, force-feeding, or excessive physical restraint. Many nursing home residents suffer in silence due to fear or the inability to speak. Common signs include bruises, cuts, broken bones, or unexplained injuries.
Families may be able to recover medical expenses, damages for pain, and financial compensation through a nursing home abuse settlement, especially when medical records and eyewitnesses support the claim.
Emotional Abuse
Psychological abuse can be just as damaging as physical harm. Caregivers who intimidate, mock, ignore, or isolate residents inflict long-term emotional damage. Victims may stop eating, show signs of depression, or become unresponsive.
Lawsuits involving psychological abuse often rely on testimony, care logs, and behavioral changes. These cases can result in significant nursing home settlement amounts when the abuse causes lasting psychological distress or impacts the resident’s overall well-being.
Financial Abuse
Financial exploitation of a nursing home resident may involve unauthorized withdrawals, forged checks, coerced transfers of assets, or misuse of a power of attorney. Often committed by staff or caregivers, this abuse can drain a person’s life savings without the family’s knowledge.
Victims and family members can pursue legal action to recover stolen assets and hold the facility accountable if it failed to protect against financial harm.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse in care settings is tragically underreported and often involves residents with cognitive or physical limitations. Cases may include inappropriate touching, forced nudity, or other forms of non-consensual sexual contact.
These acts may be committed by staff, other residents, or even visitors. Facilities may face liability if they fail to supervise, investigate complaints, or properly screen employees. Victims and families can seek damages for medical treatment, therapy, and emotional suffering.
Neglect
Nursing home neglect includes failure to provide food, water, hygiene, medication, or basic medical care. This can lead to bedsores, infections, malnutrition, or worsening health conditions. A facility may be liable if a nursing home patient was ignored, left in soiled clothing, or didn’t receive timely care.
Colorado nursing home abuse settlements often involve claims for medical bills, pain and suffering, and the cost of moving the resident to a safer environment.
Wrongful Death
If nursing home abuse or neglect results in a resident’s death, surviving family members can file a wrongful death case. Common causes include untreated infections, falls, delayed emergency care, or medication errors.
Families may recover burial costs, medical bills, and compensation for the emotional loss. These claims are often supported by expert medical testimony and physical evidence showing the facility failed to meet its duty of care. Wrongful death lawsuits can also bring long-term policy changes within the facility.
What Are Colorado’s Nursing Home Abuse Laws?
Under § 18-6.5-102 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, “abuse” is legally defined as any of the following acts or omissions committed against an at-risk person, including elderly residents in nursing homes:
- The nonaccidental infliction of bodily injury or death
- Confinement or restraint that is unreasonable under generally accepted caretaking standards
- Subjection to sexual conduct or non-consensual contact
All of these acts are classified as crimes under Colorado nursing home abuse laws, meaning that individuals or facilities responsible for such conduct can face criminal prosecution in addition to civil liability through a nursing home lawsuit.
§ 13-80-102 states that personal injury claims, including nursing home negligence, must typically be filed within two years of the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. Wrongful death cases must also be filed within two years of the date of death.
In cases involving fraud or intentional concealment, the time limit may be extended. It’s essential to act quickly, as waiting too long may result in losing the right to recover financial compensation. A qualified nursing home abuse attorney can help determine whether a claim is still valid.
Several agencies oversee Colorado nursing homes and investigate abuse:
- Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) – CDPHE licenses and inspects nursing homes and assisted living facilities, ensuring they meet state and federal standards. Complaints can be filed directly with the department.
- Adult Protective Services (APS) – APS investigates reports of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation involving at-risk adults. Reports can be made anonymously by calling 1-844-CO-4-KIDS or contacting local county APS offices.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program – The ombudsman advocates for residents’ rights, investigates complaints, and works to resolve issues at the facility level.
How to File a Nursing Home Lawsuit in Colorado
At Nursing Home Law Center, we understand how difficult it is to take legal action after discovering that a family member has suffered nursing home abuse. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own. We stand with families throughout Colorado who want to hold care facilities accountable.
Our skilled lawyers will investigate the incident by carefully reviewing the details of what happened–gathering treatment records, photographs, witness accounts, and any other information that supports your case.
After building the case, we’ll file a formal nursing home lawsuit on your behalf. From there, we handle every step of the legal process, including communicating with the insurance company, handling negotiations, and depositions. If no fair nursing home settlement is offered, the case may proceed to trial.
Book a Free Consultation With a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If someone you love has suffered abuse or neglect in a Colorado care facility, we’re here to help you take the next step. Our firm offers a free consultation to review your case, explain your rights under Colorado nursing home abuse laws, and discuss the legal options available to you. You don’t have to face this situation alone. We stand with families seeking justice and accountability.
We handle all nursing home abuse lawsuits on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover the compensation your family deserves. Contact us today to speak with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney.